2013 Chevrolet Cruze 1.6L Petrol · SM13 JVN

The Cruze currently holds a valid MOT issued on 4 May 2026 at 71,842 miles, but the record reveals a worsening maintenance trend rather than a stable one. The vehicle failed its initial test attempt on the same day at 71,841 miles with multiple braking system defects before passing on a re-test just one mile later. The tester flagged a rear brake imbalance across Axle 2, an inoperative offside parking brake, and parking brake efficiency below requirements. These are not minor consumable items. They point to a braking system that was, until very recently, operating outside safe parameters. The fact that the car passed the re-test suggests the immediate faults were rectified, but the pattern warrants scrutiny. The mileage profile sits at roughly 5,526 miles per year over thirteen years, which is notably low for its age. Between June 2025 at 67,552 miles and May 2026 at 71,842 miles, the car covered 4,290 miles in under eleven months, a relatively brisk pace for what appears to have been a lightly used vehicle. Before that, the annual increments were more modest, with 5,188 miles added between July 2023 and July 2024, and 4,022 miles between July 2024 and June 2025. The MOT history itself is sparse prior to 2023, with no tests recorded between 2013 and July 2023, meaning the first documented inspection occurred when the car was already a decade old at 58,344 miles. That gap leaves a significant portion of the vehicle's life unaccounted for in terms of verified roadworthiness. The recurring advisory for a minor exhaust gas leak at the central exhaust section has appeared in three consecutive tests, from June 2025 through May 2026. A minor leak that persists across annual inspections often indicates a gradual deterioration of exhaust joints, gaskets, or the central silencer itself rather than a sudden failure. Left unchecked, such leaks can progress to more significant corrosion or emissions non-compliance. Buyers should inspect the full exhaust run from the manifold back, paying close attention to the central section joints and any signs of gas staining or cracking. The braking faults recorded in the May 2026 failure demand a thorough in-person inspection. Rear brake imbalance and a parking brake that was inoperative on one side suggest potential issues with caliper slide pins, seized pistons, uneven pad wear, or deteriorated brake hoses on the rear axle. The parking brake mechanism itself, whether drum-in-disc or standalone drum, should be examined for cable stretch, corrosion, or adjustment failure. A buyer should test the parking brake on an incline and request a demonstration of even braking under moderate deceleration. Given that these faults appeared on a car with relatively low mileage, lack of use may have contributed to sticking components rather than wear alone. Suspension bushes and coil springs should also be checked, as vehicles that stand for extended periods can develop seized or perished rubber components that affect brake and handling geometry.